Making a Podcast

Create a file using any recording program. Audacity is a free program for both PC and Mac. However, it will not create an mp3 or m4a file. It will create an aiff or wav file which can be converted to formats for podcasting by converting the aiff or wav file using iTunes or another program that can convert sound file formats. In iTunes, the conversion will require manually locating the newly-converted file in the iTunes library under "unknown artist"...

For podcasting, I would suggest creating an mp3 file, but other sound files may work depending on how the file is hosted (i.e., how the server is configured for sound file types)--As long as it's a podcast friendly format (mp3, m4a, mov, mp4, m4v, pdf). You may want to use the m4a file type extension (yourfile.m4a) as this is required for compatibility with iPod.

You can publish the appropriate sound file to the Internet as a link on a blogging service, such as Blogger, and wrapped in a podcast-friendly RSS feed. (Please note: the audio file must be hosted on a web server such as .Mac.) RSS feed providers, such as FeedBurner, make it easy to create an RSS file from your blog.

Here is a sample podcast hosted on a .mac server.

If you are not sure how to publish a file to a web hosting server, Podcast Maker is one program that makes the process easy on the Mac OS X platform. On the PC side, there are also some helpful programs like SmartFTP. You will need access to a server that can host your podcast, just as you would for a web page.

But before you start, you should make sure your computer has the minimum requirements. Make sure you've checked out "The definitive step-by-step guide on how to podcastwithout breaking the bank." -- How to Podcast.